A Touch of Glasnost!

I have been privileged to share many memorable events during my term of office.

The most unexpected was an invitation from Mr. Viktor Spasskly, the Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in the United Kingdom to attend the 90th Anniversary of the Federation's presence in this country. The event was held at the palatial Headquarters of the Delegation in Highgate, London and I was invited, with my husband, to highlight the contacts already established with Russia in Teignbridge. We are always pleased to see Russian cargo ships entering the Port of Teignmouth bringing fertilizer and taking china clay back to Vyborg in Russia. The biggest surprise was being invited to share the platform with the Russian Ambassador to the UK Yuri Fedotov (pictured) and to make a short speech! The first time I have ever opened with the greeting "Your Excellency". The Russian Delegation is keen to establish trade contacts in the South West and have made a good start through a Russian expat, living in Teignmouth, Mrs. Liubov Jeffs, who has done much to foster social, University and business contacts with the growing number of Russian interests in our area. russiantouch@btinternet.com